Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Eighth Promise

     The Eighth Promise to those who faithfully pray the Rosary is that they shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces. They will share in the merits of the blessed. 

     Saint Padre Pio, Saint Dominic, San Martín de  Porres, Santa Teresa de Ávila, Saint Bernadette, San Juan de la Cruz, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Venerable Fulton Sheen, John Paul II and many other holy followers of Jesus, devoted so much of their prayer lives to contemplation of the life and virtues of Jesus. They understood the immense spiritual value of praying the Rosary. Their lives were exemplified by constant humility, unwavering trust, and courageous evangelizing, especially at times of vehement opposition to their faith. Like Mary they lived in obedience and surrender to God's will.

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Seventh Promise

     The Seventh promise of the Rosary is that those who are faithful to this devotional prayer shall not die without the Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. There is nothing material that we can bring with us as we depart from this existence and pass into the afterlife. We can only carry into the eternity that which resides within our hearts. Love is of greater value than all of the wealth and fame attained during the years of our mortal days. The ubiquitous temptation, despair, is most perilous at death, amid our deepest  physical and emotional vulnerability.

      A secure relationship with Jesus, as experienced through a lifetime of devotion to Him, combined with frequent reception of the Holy Sacraments, will, without fail, lead us back to Him. The Sacraments are "outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace."  Our Hearts are made increasingly receptive to the Holy Spirit's direction by ardent devotion to praying the Rosary. Mary teaches us how to love Jesus and experience His love for us. Our desire to receive the gifts of His Sacraments is vastly augmented by daily reverent oration of the Holy Rosary. There is nothing of greater value with which to leave this temporal life than a heart filled with the love and graces of Jesus.

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary~The Sixth Promise

     The Sixth promise of the Rosary is that whoever recites the Rosary prayer devoutly, reflecting on the mysteries, shall never be overcome by misfortune. He will not experience the anger of God nor will he perish by and unprovided death. The sinner will be converted. The just will persevere in grace and merit eternal life.

     Regardless of what is happening in our lives, we are always within the loving heart of our Almighty Father. He never abandons His children. We will face misfortune, tragedy and sorrow. Grieving is a necessary and natural human process. We live in a society which rejects all sorrow as unnatural. We have been conditioned to believe that disappointment, injustice and loss will never touch our existence, and that if they do, we have somehow personally failed. Many times, we blame God.

          It is remarkable how easy it is  to forget about God in the face of financial abundance and good health. Equally astounding is how deeply we are drawn to our Creator whenever we need His supernatural assistance, long after we have exhausted every effort to independently resolve our difficulties. It is not unusual at these times to be disposed to seek Him with great fervor. He is always ready to receive us into His miraculous embrace, no matter how much we have ignored Him. We are so blessed to have a merciful God.

          Contemplation of the life of Jesus familiarizes us with the virtues needed to be spiritually successful in growing closer to God throughout all life events. Praying the Rosary transforms our hearts, causing us to respond to life's chapters and to our neighbor with gratitude and generosity. There is no mountain we cannot climb. We are never alone. Our eternal destination, to be with God in Heaven at the end of earthly life, is our greatest inspiration. We are strengthened by the examples provided by the love and mercy of Jesus. 

Prayer of Saint Gertrude for Souls in Purgatory

"Eternal Father, 

I offer to Thee the Most Precious Blood 

of Thy Divine Son Jesus

in union with the Masses said throughout the world this day 

for all the Souls in Purgatory."

Amen